Portrait of a Noblewoman (Madame de Pellegars?) 1590 - 1595

François Quesnel rendered this "Portrait of a Noblewoman" with crayon and chalk, achieving an ethereal quality through delicate lines and muted tones. The composition centers on the sitter’s face, framed by her elaborate ruff and hairstyle, creating a study in geometric contrasts. Notice how Quesnel employs a limited color palette, focusing on gradations of white, grey, and subtle pinks to convey texture and form. The unfinished quality of the drawing—visible in the sketched-in details of her dress—offers insight into the artistic process. This rawness exposes the underlying structure of representation. Consider, too, the semiotic weight of the ruff: an overt symbol of status and fashion during the late 16th century. However, Quesnel's rendering destabilizes this symbol by leaving it only partially realized. The portrait challenges the idea of fixed representation and invites viewers to question the construction of identity. In doing so, the portrait becomes a discourse on the nature of appearance itself.